Pankaja Munde dismisses charges of corruption, says did not violate any rules

Maharashtra Minister for Women and Child Welfare Pankaja Munde on Wednesday dismissed the charges of corruption levelled at her by the Congress, maintaining that she has not violated any rules.

Her response came after the opposition in the state accused her of flouting norms while clearing purchase orders.

The minister said the policy for online tendering system was not in place when she commissioned the deals, stating, "As minister I have taken some dynamic decisions to reduce corruption."

Munde also alleged that false information is being circulated to malign her image, adding she will give a clarification after returning from her current trip abroad.

As per rules, all government procurements over Rs three lakh are to be made through e-tenders. However, the Maharashtra Women and Children Development Ministry cleared the overcharged purchase orders for anganwadi schools without inviting tenders.

The incident came to light after the Ahmednagar Zilla Parishad president wrote to Munde, complaining about the quality of food (chikki) distributed to tribal students under the Integrated Child Development Services.